By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-09-17 10:57:50 | Word Count: 540
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is giving children in California the opportunity to become “Health Heroes” by learning about childhood obesity, designing programs to address it and implementing them in their communities.
UnitedHealth HEROES is a service-learning, health literacy initiative designed to encourage young people, working through educators and youth leaders, to create and implement local hands-on programs to address the issue of childhood obesity. UnitedHealthcare is partnering with Youth Service America (YSA) to launch the second year of the program in California as well as 33 other states and the District of Columbia.
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Schools and youth-focused, community center-based programs are eligible for UnitedHealth HEROES grants of up to $1,000. Grants will be awarded to programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health risks associated with childhood obesity; propose creative solutions to combating obesity in schools and communities and can be easily implemented, scaled and measured.
To obtain an application, visit ysa.org and click on the “UnitedHealth HEROES” link under “Support – Get Funding.” The website also contains more information about the program and resources for gathering information on the risk factors associated with childhood obesity. Applications must be submitted online before midnight Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Grant recipients will be notified in December and January.
“With UnitedHealth HEROES, we are helping young people take action to improve their overall health and quality of life in a way that's not only educational, but beneficial for their communities. We believe that as people become more aware of health issues through health literacy and advocacy initiatives they will make positive changes to live better lives,” said David Anderson, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare of California.
Research by Denver-based RMC Research Corp. has shown young people who participate in service-learning programs improve their academic performance and critical-thinking skills, increase their confidence and sense of potential, and accept leadership roles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30 percent of young people are obese and more than 60 percent have at least one avoidable risk for heart disease.
“Childhood obesity is one of the greatest health issues facing children and youth in the U.S.,” said Steve Culbertson, YSA president and CEO. “UnitedHealth HEROES provides young people the rare, but important, responsibility to seek solutions to this epidemic, and I'm thrilled to see the innovative ideas used to educate and engage their peers.”
Earlier this year, UnitedHealth Group awarded $67,000 in HEROES grants to 100 schools and community organizations in 15 states. The HEROES service-learning projects were implemented during the spring semester and culminated on YSA's 21st annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 24-26, 2009.
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